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 427th Le Fevre Crew
William G. Le Fevre, Pilot
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WILLIAM G. LE FEVRE CREW - 427th BS
B-17F Flak Wolf aka Winnie the Pooh #42-3131 427BS (GN-U)
(crew assigned 427BS: 06 Dec 1942 - photo: 18 July 1943)
(Le Fevre was copilot to E.J. Broussard, upgraded to pilot 04 July 1943)

(Back L-R) Lt Jack G. Rolfson (CP), Capt William G. Le Fevre (P),
Lt Abbott M. Smith, Jr. (B), Lt Charles L. Herman (N),
Captain Louis A. Lame (427th BS Flight Surgeon)

(Front L-R) S/Sgt Robert K. Sink (BTG), S/Sgt Delvyn Smith (WG),
Unknown, T/Sgt Jesse J. Jessee (R), S/Sgt William W. Fleming (WG),
S/Sgt Joseph E. Serpa (TG), T/Sgt Emery L. Knotts (R)(*), T/Sgt Joe R. Gray (E)

(*) Radio Operator named Emery L. Knotts KIA on 1 May 1943
Possible 18 July 1943 photo ID Error

Missions flown by William C. Le Fevre as 1st Pilot:
49 (10 July 43), 51 (17 July 43 - As Tail Gunner/Observer, 53 (25 July 43)

Crew Notes:

  • 1Lt William G. LeFevre (P) - Was CoPilot on the Capt Edward J. Broussard crew for twenty-three missions. First mission 6 Dec 1942. Completed Combat tour 25 July 1943. Upgraded from CoPilot to Pilot on 04 July 1943. Flew two missions as 1st Pilot (49, 53) and one mission (51) as a Lead Crew Tail Gunner/Observer. Promoted to Captain after completing his combat tour.
Missions flown with 1Lt William G. LeFevre:
  • Capt Billy B. Southworth, Jr. (P) - Mission 51
  • Lt Jack G. Rolfson (CP) - Missions 49 & 53.
  • Lt Richard P. Dubell (CP) - Mission 51
  • Lt Charles L. Herman (N) - Missions 49, 53. Flew on 14 missions with the Lt's Broussard (P)/Le Fevre (CP) crew (3, 5, 6, 8, 30, 32, 33, 36, 40, 41, 42, 43, 43A, 44).
  • Lt Frederick J. Illgen (N) - Mission 51. Flew on 1 mission with the Lt's Broussard (P)/Le Fevre (CP) crew (19),
  • Lt Abbott M. Smith, Jr. (B) - Missions 49, 53. Flew on 1 mission with the Lt's Broussard (P)/Le Fevre (CP) Crew (33).
  • Lt Byron K. Butt (B) - Mission 51
  • T/Sgt James K. Good (E) - Missions 49, 51, & 53. Flew on 2 missions with the Lt's Broussard (P)/Le Fevre (CP) crew (11, 19).
  • T/Sgt Dale F. Brandfas (R) - Missions 49 & 53. Flew on one mission with the Lt's Broussard (P)/Le Fevre (CP) crew (20).
  • T/Sgt Jesse J. Jessee (R) - Mission 51
  • S/Sgt Robert K. Sink (BTG) - Missions 49, 51 & 53.
  • S/Sgt Elwood F. Hairr (LWG) - Mission 49.
  • S/Sgt William W. Fleming (LWG) - Missions 51 & 53. Flew on 2 missions with the Lt's Broussard (P)/Le Fevre (CP) crew (33, 36).
  • S/Sgt Durward L. Hinds (RWG) Mission 49, 51, 53.
  • S/Sgt Joseph E. Serpa (TG) - Mission 49 & 53
  • Capt Louis A. Lame (Flight Surgeon) - Mission 51

[photo from the 303rd BGA Archives]
[Researched by Historian Harry D. Gobrecht]